It's kind of both, but getting in a workout before work means that I'm appropriately prioritizing my health over a slightly earlier start at work, which is all good. It also helps me manage my stress during the work day!

Thank you - I'm not very motivated unless I have concrete goals to focus on. :-)

I am curious to see what the financial planner has to say about 529 plans. I know that the current idea to tax returns is not likely to make it anywhere at this point, but it makes me wonder about the future and if we would be better off just contributing to a mutual fund in our names or something. We do get a break on our state taxes though.

I've thought about it as well, and whether it make sense to have more flexibility. We might do that in the future as well. For this year, since our contribution is pretty minimal ($2500), I opted for the 529s, because it was easiest & I knew if I didn't tuck the money away now, it wasn't going to happen. We don't get a break on our taxes, so there's no specific benefit to us.